Planning commission tables data-center rules; commissioners told moratorium likely needs extension

At the most recent planning-and-zoning meeting, commissioners learned that the planning commission voted to pause work on data-center regulations and instead prioritize revising the county comprehensive plan. Because the current moratorium on data-center approvals was set to expire at the end of May, county officials discussed the need to extend the moratorium while the comprehensive-plan process proceeds.

A commissioner said planning and zoning would return the topic to the board on the next agenda and noted a planning commission meeting scheduled roughly two weeks out. One speaker suggested that if the comprehensive-plan process takes most of the year, the moratorium should be extended for a year rather than a short 90-day extension. Staff advised preparing a resolution to extend the moratorium so it would not lapse while the comprehensive-plan work continues.

The commission placed the moratorium-extension item on next week's agenda for consideration and asked staff to prepare appropriate language. No binding extension vote was recorded in the segments provided; planning staff and commissioners will bring a draft resolution to a future meeting for official action.